A wounded insurgent is brought into the field hospital. He is burned at 80% of his body. After first care of the burn wounds the patient remains unstable.
Because of limited resources and triage rules, the doctors are asked to transfer national wounded towards national hospitals after they receive first aid.
The medical personnel know however, that national facilities do not have the competencies and resources to adequately care for burn patients. This knowledge creates a pressure on the medical personnel and makes them uncomfortable with the rules.
Source: Adapted from Rochon, Christiane (2014): La bioéthique et les conflits armés : la réflexion éthique des médecins militaires. (http://hdl.handle.net/1866/12293)
1. Should the medical personnel/ the doctor refuse to obey the rules, knowing that she/he may face consequences? Or, can they follow the rule even though they are aware of the risk for the patient's health?
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